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Sony VAIO R505 SuperSlim Pro Series:
Style and Substance |
This is a product review I wrote for my Review Writing class, one of the only reviews for a tangible good I wrote.
I was told the first draft was too technical so it was toned down a bit.
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Pros: Sleek and lightweight at 3.75 lbs, magnesium-alloy case, crisp and bright 12 inch LCD, i.Link port, feature-filled docking station
Cons: Docking station adds considerable bulk, not as stylish as its counterparts, no integrated wireless, no USB 2.0, no PS/2 port on dock, pricy accessories
The Sony Vaio R505GL is of the second generation of Vaio's 505 series. This is one in Sony's long line of sleek, ultra-light notebooks. Like all Vaio products, it's equipped for digital video editing. While that is good reason to consider this product, the small form-factor is its main appeal, designed to attract students and business professionals alike. Students may need the help of their parent's pocketbook, however.
Design:
Sony Vaios are well known for their distinctive styling and solid construction. This laptop is no exception. The GL features a silver and purplish magnesium alloy lid with an embossed "VAIO" logo. While very attractive, it's easily scratched. Under the lid, the case is silver with a nearly full size keyboard and a touchpad with purple mouse buttons with a small jog wheel in between. The battery forms the rear foot of the notebook. All slots and ports are along the sides.
While this particular Vaio is eye-catching, I find it's not quite up to par in comparison with other Vaio models. Its edges are square, not rounded as many Vaio models are. Its general shape lacks the elegant simplicity typically found in Vaio notebooks. The rear ends lack symmetry and smooth contours.
Features and Specifications:
The GL features a 1.13 GHz Intel Processor. It's fast enough to handle most applications and digital video editing. 256 MB of RAM is installed. While adequate to run Windows XP, there is barely enough left for applications. Sony's specs say the GL can be upgraded to 384 MB. However, many including myself have successfully installed a 512 MB RAM chip, bringing the total to 640 MB.
The docking station adds a DVD/CD-RW drive, a floppy disc drive, legacy ports and another USB port. It sits directly under the notebook and lifts it about an inch off the table. This makes typing uncomfortable when the notebook is sitting on a desk as your arms are resting a bit high.
Battery life is satisfactory, averaging about two and a half hours. It would have been nice to see it more in the three hour range. A large and pricy double capacity battery (PCGA-BP4R) is available, which delivers around eight hours of usage.
With the docking station attached, the R505 is a viable desktop replacement machine. You could connect your peripherals like a printer, scanner or PDA dock to the Vaio's docking station and simply remove the laptop when you need to take it with you.
Battery life is satisfactory, averaging about two and a half hours. It would have been nice to see it more in the three-hour range. A large and pricy double capacity battery (PCGA-BP4R) is available, which delivers around eight hours of usage.
One glaring omission is an internal wireless card. Some R505 variants include one but this model does not. This is likely a cost cutting measure, but I find it hard to excuse as it would probably cost Sony less than ten dollars to install one.
While all computer manufacturers preinstall ample amounts of software, Sony is unique in that their software is actually useful. Sony provides a suite of programs to facilitate video and capture editing through the included i.Link port. DVGate and Smart Capture are used for capturing video and still pictures from your camcorder while MovieShaker and Adobe Premiere LE allow you to edit your home movies.
Overall:
This is a great notebook. It's lightweight, thin, eye-catching and it works. While small, the keyboard and palm rest are big enough to make it useable for extended typing. The bright 12 inch XGA screen is crisp and clear.
The docking station is a pivotal selling point for those considering this notebook. Attached, it offers functionality rivaling a desktop. Without it however, you are limited to the hard disk to store and access your data. However, if you need something small and intend to use a DVD-ROM drive often, you should look for another model that already has one built-in.
Sony's product life-cycle is rather short and the R505 series is longer offered by Sony. You will have to purchase it through an online retailer or through a website like eBay.
Although this laptop has been on the market for about two years, it is still a viable option for anyone considering an ultra-light notebook. It's specifications are more than adequate for typical laptop applications, but it will not play most 3D games. While you may want something newer, don't pass this notebook by if you find a deal.
MSRP: $2,300
Price Paid: $535 (eBay)
Related links:
Sony Vaio R505GL at Epinions
Extended Article on the R505 by Elisabeth Liddell at Elisa@FOXPOP